The woman tapped to be the United States' first female spymaster is proving to be a lightning rod, earning praise from many from across the intelligence community and suspicion from lawmakers and others who question her role in the use of tactics that some say amounted to torture.

U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted his choice of Gina Haspel to run the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency on Tuesday, taking over for outgoing CIA Director Mike Pompeo, who has been nominated to lead the State Department.

"She's an outstanding person who I've gotten to know very well," Trump later told reporters outside the White House, as he prepared for a trip to California.

Haspel, who until now has been serving as the CIA's deputy director, is a 30-year veteran of the agency with extensive experience, both as a CIA station chief, in places like London, as well as with the agency's clandestine services.

"I am grateful to President Trump for the opportunity, and humbled by his confidence in me," Haspel said in a statement released Tuesday by the White House. "If confirmed, I look forward to providing President Trump the outstanding intelligence support he has grown to expect."‹

China Stocks Lower At Close Of Trade; Shanghai Composite Down 1.05%

Wednesday, 19 December 2018 14:52 WIB
China stocks were lower after the close on Wednesday, as losses in the Oil Equipment Services & Distribution, Software & Computer Services and Technology sectors led shares lower.
At the close in Shanghai, the Shanghai Composite lost 1.05%...